Field-installable optical slice

Abstract

An optical splice for optically coupling two fibers, the splice comprising: (a) a housing having two ends and defining a reservoir; (b) a fiber clamp for clamping two fibers together disposed in the housing; (c) two cable clamps, one on each end of the housing, the cable clamps comprising a purchase point for anchoring strength members of the fibers, the purchase point being operatively connected to the housing; and (d) a sealant in the reservoir, the sealant adapted to engulf and adhere to a fiber extending from each cable clamp to the fiber clamp.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optical splice for optically coupling two fibers, said splice comprising:
 a housing having two ends and defining a reservoir;   a fiber clamp for clamping two fibers together disposed in said housing;   two cable clamps, one on each end of said housing, said cable clamps comprising a purchase point for anchoring strength members of said fibers, said purchase point being operatively connected to said housing; and   a sealant in said reservoir, said sealant adapted to engulf and adhere to a fiber extending from each cable clamp to said fiber clamp.   
     
     
         2 . The splice of  claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a base and a cover, said fiber clamp and said cable clamps being connected to said base. 
     
     
         3 . The splice of  claim 2 , wherein said cover is pre-loaded with said sealant. 
     
     
         4 . The splice of  claim 2 , wherein said housing comprises latches to latch said cover to said base. 
     
     
         5 . The splice of  claim 4 , wherein said cover is hinged to said base with a living hinge such that said cover and said base comprise a single, integrally-molded component. 
     
     
         6 . The splice of  claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises at least one exterior eyelet to facilitate hanging of said splice. 
     
     
         7 . The splice of  claim 1 , further comprising said fibers, said fibers bending between said cable clamp and said fiber clamp such that each fiber urges into fiber clamp. 
     
     
         8 . The splice of  claim 1 , wherein said fiber clamp comprises a platform and two camming members, wherein moving a first camming member axially causes a second camming member to urge against said platform, thereby clamping said fibers to said platform. 
     
     
         9 . The splice of  claim 8 , wherein a slidable actuator is operatively connected to said first camming member. 
     
     
         10 . The splice of  claim 1 , wherein said fiber clamp is at least translucent to facilitate inspection of the coupled fibers. 
     
     
         11 . The splice of  claim 1 , wherein said fiber clamp comprises a sleeve for receiving each of said fibers. 
     
     
         12 . The splice of  claim 11 , wherein said sleeve comprises an orifice leading to a channel doling said fibers and a key adapted to be received in said orifice such that said key clamps said fibers against said sleeve to hold them in place. 
     
     
         13 . The splice of  claim 12 , wherein said sleeve is at least translucent. 
     
     
         14 . The splice of  claim 13 , wherein said sleeve is quartz. 
     
     
         15 . The splice of  claim 1 , wherein said sealant is cured by actinic radiation. 
     
     
         16 . The splice of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of said housing comprises a UV-transparent material. 
     
     
         17 . The splice of  claim 1 , wherein said cable clamp comprises a platform on said base and a corresponding protrusion on said cover to the clamp strength members to said platform. 
     
     
         18 . The splice of  claim 1 , wherein said cable clamp is inside said housing. 
     
     
         19 . The splice of  claim 1 , wherein said cable clamp protrudes from said housing. 
     
     
         20 . The splice of  claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a base and a cover and wherein said cover and base snap together. 
     
     
         21 . The splice of  claim 1 , wherein said base defines templates for preparing the terminal ends of each fiber. 
     
     
         22 . The splice of  claim 1 , wherein said fiber clamp comprises a funnel for guiding a fiber into said fiber clamp.